o.—i

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SOUTHLAND. (K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) A general review of the results obtained from the operations of our rural industries in this district for the twelve-monthly period ending 31st March, 1925, discloses that good progress has been made generally, and that, on the whole, satisfactory returns have been derived from all classes of farming. Regarding the dairying industry, in some localities unusually dry climatic conditions were again experienced, and the absence of seasonable rainfall caused the failure of early-sown crops and the falling-away of pastures in the summer months, with a corresponding reduction in the milk-yield. At one period of the season anxiety was caused through the sudden drop in the price of butter, but it is pleasing to note that a marked improvement has since taken place, and the year closes with prospects for a continuance of reasonably good prices for both butter and cheese throughout the remainder of the season. It is becoming more commonly recognized by the farming community that success in the dairying industry lies largely in the direction of making provision for an ample supply of feed for dairy cows right throughout the year. The value of top-dressing of pastures cannot be too strongly stressed in this connection, and the cheapening of artificial manures is tending to make this possible to an increasing degree as compared with former years. This is evidenced by the increasing sales of these commodities during the year by the several mercantile firms operating throughout this district. With a fuller recognition by the dairy-farmers of the economic value of the proper care and management of pastures, the overhead working-expenses on the farms can be considerably reduced and an appreciable increase in returns will be obtained, whereby land-values will be sustained and the continued prosperity and progress of the district assured. The total acreage put under oats this year was again much less than in former years. In some parts of the district the crops lacked bulk owing to the absence of the usual spring rains, but again in other localities splendid crops were obtained. An exceptionally fine harvest season was experienced, the grain threshed out in fine condition, and the market prices ruling gave a profitable return to the growers. Southland was this year favoured with a comparatively mild winter, and this enabled all*classes of farmers to maintain their stock in very fair condition right through to the spring. The sheep-farmer has experienced an exceptionally good year. The climatic conditions left nothing to be desired in this respect, and the high prices ruling throughout the season for wool and fat lambs have had the effect of once again firmly establishing confidence in this branch of industry. This is reflected in the keen demand for store sheep, and anything offering in this line meets with a ready sale. The Southland Electric-power Board has made good progress during the year with, the installation of the Lake Monowai hydro-electric scheme, and it will not be long before the whole of the district is served with light and electric power. The work of the several Hiver Boards is now well in hand, and continued good progress can be looked forward to in the future. The straightening and deepening of the streams now being dealt with by these Boards is of such immediate value to the lands affected that their hitherto unproductive nature will be entirely changed to one of high productive value, and the district as a whole will indirectly derive the advantages of greater prosperity due to the increased production from these lands. There has been no abatement in the activities of the timber-milling industry during the year, and the Crown lands still under bush have in consequence an immediate prospective value, to which due cognizance must be given before they can economically be thrown open for settlement. The scarcity of labour, its high cost, and the time taken to clear and develop this class of land all operate at the present time to cause a lack of inquiry for bush sections, unless they be of first-class quality and favourably situated.